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Big Brother or just Progress?

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Posted by: Katshot

Big Brother or just progress?

There is a new threat to your security AND your pocketbook. For the last few years, the automotive industry has been silently installing componentry into new cars that could threaten your personal security, privacy and even end up costing you your hard-earned money or your license. What is this secret new technology? Well, they’re called Event Data Recorders, or EDR’s for short. I’m sure there are a few people here that have heard of them but I’ll bet there are few that realize just how much of a potential threat they pose to you. The EDR was originally installed as basically a “black-box” for the purpose of gathering crash data for the OEM engineers to study post accident, but now their data parameters are growing to include items that have nothing to do with accident data or SIR efficiency. Now, a new breed of EDR is starting to be used for other purposes. They are being used to work with other modules such as the OnStar systems in GM cars. They can record all kinds of things, and with the use of an integrated GPS system, they can record not only WHAT happened and WHEN it happened but, WHERE. This kind of information could reap large benefits to several people. The OEM – suppose you go out and “play” with your new sports car, only to get a letter from the manufacturer stating that your warranty is void due to your “playing”. That’s right, you’ve just been ratted-out by your own car! Your insurance company – Think this is far-fetched? Not so. It’s already being used by some to track where you drive, how you drive, and when you drive.
How about the federal government – that’s right, they want to know where you are and they want evidence to use against you in court if they need it. Think THAT’s far-fetched? Think again, part of the Patriot Act addresses that very point and has made it possible for the FBI to get that data from your EDR(s) without your permission, whenever they want it. How about your spouse – how fun would it be for you to be able to know where that cheating spouse of yours is? Just think how useful it would’ve been to have these little beauties in all those Audi’s that were “supposed” to have a problem with unintended acceleration! Audi would’ve saved MILLIONS! And their reputation would never have taken the hit it did.
So even though it’s nice to know that when you have an accident, OnStar (or any other company like it) will call emergency personnel and guide them directly to you, remember what you’re giving up for that convenience. Big Brother is here and now and right in your car. You might think that the information in that EDR is yours since you own the car, right? Wrong! As of right now, that is NOT necessarily the case. Any judge can issue an order to get without your permission. The NTSB wants control of the data, the NHTSA is still on your side but all this can change. It will be battled out in the courts and it WILL impact us all. Yeah, it sounded like a great idea to be able to know where your kids are driving and how, right? And it was great to be able to pay tolls automatically right? Believe me, it’s only a matter of time before they start issuing speeding tickets based on mathematical calculations of your average speed on the highway. And how could you fight it? You passed this toll at this time, and then passed the next at this time. Do the math and it’s pretty darn easy to determine and average speed, huh?

Well, I just wanted to see what everyone thought about this new technology.

Posted by: mespock

Time to buy a horse!

Hey this is America the land of the Free!! Or the Use to be Free!!!

Posted by: codewize

Well being in the security business, I think it sucks. Is there a list of vehicles which have this or are going to have this. I think this country is on it's way to a total invasion of privacy, if we're not already there. The government already has the right to intercept any electronic data they want to just like they can record phone calls. It's all just wrong.

A little off topic I would also like to say that most people have no idea as to the level of data that is collected about them every day while they surf the web. Spyware is out of control and although they're trying to pass a bill to actually outlaw spyware, it's a real problem as of today.

As far as computers go, people who say, 'That will never happen to me' or 'Why would someone break in here?' or 'I have nothing to steal.' are in for a rude awakening. Think about the content of every email you send from this day forward. It's so easy to hijack email it's not even funny. Think about the last time you visited a porn site, someone other than you knows when that is and where you went. Everything is trackable. Or think about the list of passwords you have saved on your PC.

Unless you don't use your PC, then you have something on it that someoone wants and will come after.

If you could look at some of the firewall logs that I see you'd be amazed at what people are trying to do to your PC and at the number of new threats that come out every day. We live in an electronic world and electronic data is very very easy to obtain.

just rambling.

Posted by: Katshot

You're right. That's why we have a firewall and I use 3 different anti-spyware applications.

Luckily, I don't look at porn or anything even remotely deviate or subversive. And on top of that, I keep nothing personal on my computer anyway. A little up-tight? Maybe. Over-cautious, I don't think so. Keep my eyes on the back of my head? Definately!

Posted by: Katshot

Here's an interesting article that does a much better job than I did in examining this issue.
http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101136

Posted by: DaveSmed

Unless its vacuum operated, I dont have one!

Posted by: mespock

Quote:

Originally Posted by codewize

Well being in the security business, I think it sucks. Is there a list of vehicles which have this or are going to have this. I think this country is on it's way to a total invasion of privacy, if we're not already there. The government already has the right to intercept any electronic data they want to just like they can record phone calls. It's all just wrong.

A little off topic I would also like to say that most people have no idea as to the level of data that is collected about them every day while they surf the web. Spyware is out of control and although they're trying to pass a bill to actually outlaw spyware, it's a real problem as of today.

As far as computers go, people who say, 'That will never happen to me' or 'Why would someone break in here?' or 'I have nothing to steal.' are in for a rude awakening. Think about the content of every email you send from this day forward. It's so easy to hijack email it's not even funny. Think about the last time you visited a porn site, someone other than you knows when that is and where you went. Everything is trackable. Or think about the list of passwords you have saved on your PC.

Unless you don't use your PC, then you have something on it that someoone wants and will come after.

If you could look at some of the firewall logs that I see you'd be amazed at what people are trying to do to your PC and at the number of new threats that come out every day. We live in an electronic world and electronic data is very very easy to obtain.

just rambling.

I understand this part well as my Ex-wife and her wonderful husband have gotten into my home computer plus my hotmail account.

The day before a court case we had I watched as my e-mail file that I had with her e-mails she had sent Disappeared. Gee I wonder who would have done that.

Posted by: pepperman

This new Technology totally SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: codewize

Dude, that's just F'in wrong

How about if I set the car on fire will it record that too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katshot

Here's an interesting article that does a much better job than I did in examining this issue.
http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101136

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